‘Mighty fine certainly,’ said Ralph, with great testiness. ‘When I first went to business, ma’am, I took a penny loaf and a ha’porth of milk for my breakfast as I walked to the city every morning; what do you say to that, ma’am? Breakfast! Bah!’

circa 1880, William Makepeace Thackeray, Roundabout Papers

You rascal thief! it is not merely three-ha’p’orth of sooty fruit you rob me of, it is my peace of mind.

1887, C. Stansfeld-Hicks, Yachts, Boats and Canoes

A well-built and handsome boat is worth varnishing, and it would be a pity to “spoil the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar”.

1997, H. W. Fowler, Modern English Usage

Halfpennyworth is best spelt and pronounced ha’p’orth.

2003, Anton Chekhov, Ward No. 6

It’s very simple. Not because our people are ignorant and ungrateful, as you always explained it to yourself, but because in all your fads, if you’ll excuse the word, there wasn’t a ha’p’orth of love and kindness!